Mission
TALA aims to lead the way in transforming library knowledge through a one day spring conference on technology, library staff education, and the practice of information services. TALA connects a Triad Library community of library staff, librarians, and community interested in the practice of library futures. TALA is a bridge for knowledge and collaboration across a continuum, from hands-on and informational sessions for the library staff.
Conference Conduct
TALA is strongly committed to providing an environment of cooperation and collaboration among its members. These values are central in our mission. The TALA Paraprofessional Conference provides a space in which diverse participants may learn, network, and enjoy the company of colleagues in an environment of mutual human respect.
History of the Triad Area Library Association
The Triad Area Library Association (TALA) was established in 2006 as an idea of Kate Hickey from Elon University. It is a membership network of academic libraries in the North Carolina piedmont region that are committed to reciprocal resource sharing for students, staff, and faculty. Libraries must meet a certain institutional profile that looks at library collections, staffing and materials delivery. There are 14 libraries that make up TALA (High Point Univ., Forsyth Technical College, North Carolina A&T, Guilford College, Winston-Salem State University, Salem College, Greensboro College, Alamance Community College, UNC School of the Arts, Bennett College, Guilford Technical Community College, Elon University, Wake Forest University and UNCG).
In May 2014, the first TALA Paraprofessional Conference was held at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The conference focuses on striving to enhance the development of paraprofessionals by providing workshops, presentations, discussion groups and networking opportunities. Since 2014, the conference has been held each year in May at rotating host site: High Point University (2015), Wake Forest University (2016), Elon University (2017), N.C. A&T University (2018), and Winston-Salem State University (2019).